Tuesday, 5 April 2016

Flame Haired Maidens (Top Ten Redheaded Superheroines)

As a chap that spends a good deal of time at home with a one year old daughter, I find that I have been trying to influence her development by exposing her to my interests. I will often curl up on the sofa and watch Doctor Who while cuddled up to my daughter, or read her comic books while showing her the pictures. So, naturally, I’m hoping that my daughter inherits my love of all things geeky and, when it comes to Halloween, she’ll be wanting a cape, not a crown. This may prove a little difficult however, because like myself, my daughter Marianna is a rather pronounced ginge, having sported a full head of flame red locks since birth.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Marianna!

And the problem is that the most common female superheroes are either blonde or brunette, so here is a list of bad ass role models with a similar colouring to my daughter...

PHOENIX

This founding member of the X-Men, Jean Grey, has the ability to move objects by thought and was one of the universes most powerful psychics and host to the legendary, and universally feared, Phoenix Force.

MAXIMA

Maxima was the heir to the Royal Throne of Almerac and displayed a high level of psionic powers, such as psychokinesis and hypnotic mind control. Maxima could use her psionic powers to give herself superhuman strength, enough to prove an effective against Superman, and as a member of the Justice League she died saving the universe from the villain, Brainiac.

MYSTIQUE

Classically portrayed as a villain, and leading member of the Brotherhood of Mutants, Mystique has served as an Agent of SHIELD, a member of the X-Men and a member of X-Factor. This shape shifter has fought endlessly for Mutant equality and will stop at nothing to get it. This is a woman who could literally be anyone and chose to be a mutant freedom fighter surely that is deserving of respect?

BATGIRL / ORACLE

Former librarian, Barbara Gordon, served faithfully as an ally to both Batman and Robin and even without superpowers was a force to be reckoned with in the war against Gotham’s criminal classes. Her career as the Batgirl was abruptly ended when, surprised in her own home, she was crippled by the Joker in an effort to drive her father, Police Commissioner James Gordon, insane. utilising her technological prowess and connections within the superhuman community she continued the fight against evil as a surveillance and information hub, Oracle.

BLACK WIDOW

A former Russian spy and assassin turned agent of SHIELD, Natasha Romanova was trained by agents such as the Winter Soldier and the X-Man Wolverine, making her a valuable addition to the Red Guard, The Defenders, The Champions of Los Angeles and the Avengers.

STARFIRE

A crown princess of the planet Tamaran, Starfire has the ability to absorb ultraviolet radiation which is then converted to pure energy, allowing her to fly at supersonic speeds. This energy also gives her incredible superhuman strength and durability. Starfire has served as member of the Outlaws, The Justice League and, perhaps most notably, the Teen Titans.

MEDUSA

Medusa belongs to the race of Inhumans, a species of prehistoric earthlings mutated by the Terrigen Mists. She rules the Inhumans as queen with her husband, King Blackbolt. Medusa possesses a long, thick head of red hair; thanks to her exposure to the Terrigen Mist, she possesses the psychokinetic ability to animate her hair for a number of uses, including elongating it to almost twice its normal length and using her hair to lift and move heavy weights of up to 1.6 tons.

Sonja was a young teenager from a Hyrkanian village which was attacked by bandits. After her family were killed, Sonja lured the bandits into the forest and killed them one by one. As an adult, she learned many of her fighting skills from a fellow prisoner when she was captured and forced to fight as a gladiator. All in all, she manages to be pretty bad ass.

HELLCAT

Hellcat (AKA Patsy Walker-Hellstrom) can sense mystical phenomena or those touched by mystical energy. She can use a force field that deflects mystical attacks, and she is able to summon her costume at will. She also possesses retractable claws and grappling hooks on her wrists. Hellcat is a well-trained martial artist, having been taught by both Captain America and Moondragon, and manages to balance a career as a model with her work as a superhero.

MERA

Mera is the former Queen of Dimension Aqua, and the ruling Queen of Atlantis. She is also the wife of Aquaman. Mera has the unique ability to form “hard water” objects, as well as super strength and powers related to her adaptation to live under water. She has been shown to be powerful enough to control huge amounts of water, enough to pull an entire army out to sea.

So there you have it. Ten superheroes for a ginger little girl to look at and think, how cool are they?